The flow of information in a modern office can come and go so rapidly that it is often difficult to keep things in check. With information coming via email, post and phone, through multiple staff members, keeping a documented record of everything that has transpired can prove problematic without having an efficient system in place. This is why good office storage is so important, so that everyone knows where everything is, and where everything has to go, whilst avoiding any unnecessary paperwork pile-ups.
With more and more business being handled via email and on computers, a lot of companies have dialed back on keeping physical documentation in order to preserve space. While this can be convenient in the short term, it will present you with problems in the long run, when computers are replaced, files are altered and staff familiar with their own filing system depart the company. Computer copies are also far more vulnerable to data corruption and loss. Traditional filing is still an essential part of good business, and an organized central system that each staff member is familiar with can go a long way.
So where does all of this storage go? It is no secret that many companies have been forced to downsize in the current economic climate and quite often space is a real issue. For some, using valuable floor space for storage may be seen as a waste. However, there are convenient and efficient ways of both organizing your office storage systems and still maximizing your workspace.
The heart of any office storage system is the filing cabinet. This is an essential for any businesses with a lot of paperwork. Depending on the size of your company, you could opt for a small 2 drawer cabinet or a larger 4 drawer unit, this should help you organize a lot of your things. Suspension files are equally as essential. A filing cabinet is useless unless you stick to a coherent filing system, so separating and labeling things accordingly will help you find things a lot more efficiently.
When it comes to preserving floor space, you don’t necessarily have to stick to the floor level. By using raised storage areas you can save at least 50% of your floor space. These include cabinets or shelves either placed at eye level or higher. Obviously accessing these spaces will not be as convenient but they can be very useful for storing data that isn’t regularly used but cannot be thrown out either.
Mobile shelving is also an option. These are groups of shelves attached to one another on wheels, which can be pushed together or pulled apart to look like individual shelves, in an accordion-like manner. If you need to access any of the shelves you simple ‘open up’ an aisle and pick a document from it. These systems are ingeniously designed, specifically for small office spaces and offer the most space saving method possible for storing full libraries worth of information.
Modular office furniture is another increasingly popular option you could consider. Modular furniture comprises of individual ‘building blocks’ so they are fully customizable to fit any space. You can tailor it and assemble it any way you like, to take advantage of certain shapes and spaces you may have free. You can maximize space by building corner desks rather than regular ones or incorporate storage space in to tables and desks. This may be your best option if you have a very particular layout or space to fill. Modular dividers are also a more convenient alternative to permanent walls, allowing you to alter the office layout a lot more freely. They won’t cut off too much floor space and still provide the necessary privacy to each workspace.
By looking for more creative solutions to office storage you can maintain a essential physical filing system without sacrificing too much space.
